Friday 18th October 2024
Somerset SAINT
(School Aged Children Immunisation Nursing Team)
Upper Building Bracken House
Chard
Somerset
TA20 1YA
Tel: 0300 3230032
Email: Somersetsaint@somersetft.nhs.uk
Dear Parent/Guardian
FLU VACCINATION FOR ALL SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN – (From Reception up to and including Year 11)
Decision form: https://www.somersetsaint.co.uk/Forms/Flu
Unique school code: (Shepton Mallet Infants School) unique code SM123660
It has been confirmed that the nasal flu vaccination program for 2024 is being offered to all school aged children from Reception up to and including Year 11. (Please note that in special educational needs schools, the vaccination will be offered to children up to and including 17 years old).
The vaccine is given as a simple spray up the nose. It is painless, quick, and serious side effects are uncommon. It is designed to protect your child against flu which can be an unpleasant illness and, although rarely may cause serious complications. The flu vaccine provides protection against the strains that are predicted to circulate in the coming season. These strains may change from year to year which is why we recommend receiving the vaccination every year.
This vaccination is part of the NHS routine immunisation programme for which your child is now due.
Further information can be found at the NHS website www.nhs.uk/child-flu. This information includes details about children for whom the nasal spray is not appropriate.
Please complete the decision form (one for each child, please) using the above link, this link will close at midday on the working day before the team is due to visit so please complete this as soon as possible as the team will be unable to take any consents after this point. If you are unable to access the online consent form for any reason, please contact Somerset SAINT for assistance.
Please complete the decision form even if you do not consent to the vaccination.
If your child is not in mainstream education or is home educated, then please contact Somerset SAINT on the above number to obtain details of our community clinics.
The decision form can only be completed by someone with parental responsibility, if you have any queries about whether you hold parental responsibility and are therefore able to complete the consent form, please contact the immunisation team on the above number.
There is an expectation that the immunisation team will only visit your child’s school once during this programme, although community based catch up sessions for children will be offered throughout the autumn term.
If your child becomes wheezy or has, their asthma medications increased just before or on the day of the vaccination session, please inform the Immunisation team on the day.
Yours sincerely
Somerset SAINT